Pisces - Flower Toes EP

So last week Pisces put out an EP. If you didn't know Pisces is the solo project of the Happy Hollows lead singer and guitarist Sarah Negahdari which I blogged about their music video a lil bit ago. Pisces is some odd hybrid of sounds that creates a unique experiance that can only be described as artsy-psychedelic-folk-rock and still not truly capture the unique vision that is produced on this EP. Even though this isn't as straight rock oriented as The Happy Hollows sound is doesn't mean this is just quiet and stripped down music. The title track "Flower Toes" is an uptempo rocker that is reminiscent of the indie artist Marnie Stern. Plus on the track "Paint A Rocket" Sarah showcases some hauntingly beautiful guitar playing that is just damn impressive and shows why she is one of the most talented guitarist in the LA music scene. What ties these four tracks together is Sarah's wonderful harmonies while singing and just her spirit that shines through on everything she creates. I cannot listen to Sarah's music without smiling and having a good time.

I think the worst part of this release is that it is only 4 songs long. Especially knowing that after seeing Sarah play "Solo" live in the past year you know she has more than enough amazing songs that deserve to be recorded to fit on a full length release and be listened to over and over again. You can even go over to Recording LA where the have a post featuring a great recording of Pisces EP release show(Also check out Little Red Lung's set from that same night).I can't wait to hear more finished recordings of Pisces songs like "Driver" but until then go to Pisces bandcamp to listen or buy the debut Flower Toes EP.

I am going to leave you with the ultrafun number that is the opening track for your listening pleasure because I can't get it out of my head so I hope it gets stuck in your noggin as well...

Bright Beast - Bright Beast EP

This came out about a month ago and I have loved it ever since I got it right when it came out. So why did it take me so long to get a post up about it, well go back to my post about the MMM show at Burger Records the other night to find out. Bright Beast is somewhat of a local band super group consisting of Christian Biel of The Transmissions, Nicholas Ceglio of George Glass, Chris Hernandez of The Happy Hollows, Christopher King of The Composers, Chris Rock of Lost Libraries, and Randolph Williams III of One Trick Pony.

This release is a strangley hypnoticly addicting six songs that won't get out of your head. Forgoing the usual guitar driven sound of the Silverlake/Echo Park music scene. Their sound has a more electronic feel to it even if all the sound is coming from a groovy bass line, a little guitar lick, solid drumming, and layered vocal track. The easiest bands to compare Bright Beast too is some early Tv on the Radio/Interpol hybrid with a touch of the catchiness/dance-vibe of She Wants Revenge. When I first heard some of these songs they seemed a little off-putting and not what I was exactly expecting but the more time I invested with their music the more it just attached to my psyche and I couldn't stop listening to the EP over and over again. Case in point the final track Short Pockets has such a crazy heavy dirty bass line that I am an absolute love with, and the track Camera might just be the most single ready song. But I am going to leave you with the opening track, Blood Secrets, because I think it captures perfectly what Bright Beast is trying to do on their debut EP with it's odd macabre lyrics on top of the perfectly polished unique sound they created.



In conclusion I agree with the in-studio dialogue by Christian Beil at the end of the track Allergy "I think that this was genius, think that this was amazing, I think we nailed it...". Because for a debut EP featuring a collection of friends from multiple bands they really fucking NAILED IT and I can't wait to hear what else this group can create.

Little Red Lung - Little Red Lung EP

So you know what is great about starting your own blog about local music? Well, first you get to know all these bands you love and help spread the word about them and second, you can get lucky and have them send you an advance copy of their latest release. And since getting the new self-titled EP from Little Red Lung the six tracks have been in constant rotation and I can't seem to get them out of my head, which is definitely not a bad thing. I can't wait for more people to hear this and get transported into the strange and beautiful sounds of Little Red Lung. The EP creates a hauntingly beautiful atmospheric rock sound that is just chill inducing. Little Red Lung's self-titled EP has great musicianship, from it's band members and friends playing great music created from a myriad of instruments including violin, cello, xylophone, vibraphone, trombone, wood Blocks and marimba, plus the usual suspects for an indie-rock band, in creating their unique sound. With so much going on in every song instrumentally, the instrumentation never sounds cluttered and has a great clean mix by Ali Nikou, who also recorded and produced the EP at Blaster Master Productions. Though, through it all, the real star of the show is Zoe-Ruth's vocals which are stunning and strong on every track. Her ability to have such power vocally and still hit those quieter moody harmonies throughout is just stellar. They completely envelope you into what this band is doing musically.

It is hard to pick a favorite track, but if I had to, it would probably be Fangs. That track is pitch perfect with it's twisting harmonies that showcase this band at its best. Though, I must say, the closing track, Strangling Tree, is a close second just for its use of xylophone vibraphone (I thought it was a xylophone but actually it is a vibraphone which is close enough) and a horn section(Trombone) along with the violin that gives the track such a unique sound(the use of xylophone does bring back memories of Oingo Boingo because they are the only band I think of that prominently used xylophone and a horn section in their music). Little Red Lung already has 50 Fingers, the opening track, available on their bandcamp and I am going to embed it below for your listening pleasure. So if you like what you hear, remember to pick up their EP it came out today at noon (man I am late at getting this post up I basically had this done a week ago just wanted to put some finishing touches...) you can pick it up at their bandcamp or a physical copy on their website. Also if you have the chance don't miss them live, you can check out a live recording done over at the blog Recording LA...

Auditorium - Night's Worth Living EP

Auditorium put out a new EP today and if you don't know this band and especially Spencer Berger on vocals then you are missing out on the best vocalist in Los Angeles(hyperbole much? Mayhaps, but I doubt you can think of a better singer). Auditorium continues to produce infectious indie pop that will get stuck in your head. So far in love with some beautiful harmonies and songwriting and pick up this EP on their bandcamp for only 3 dollars(what is that like the cost of a pack of gum?). Well I already talked about the song The Sex Offenders I will leave you with the final song on the EP "Did Your Heart Shake Like This Song?" because it is a love song and their is not enough good old fashion love songs anymore, it's all about the heartbreak nowadays...